Fish Lake Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Rough road access is the first thing to plan around at Fish Lake Campground, a BLM-managed site set at elevation within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management & Protection Area. The loop road typically doesn't open until early July, depending on snowmelt and road work, so the official June 10 season start doesn't always reflect actual conditions. Campers who visited in mid-June reported snow still visible in spots, with winds gusting 20 to 30 miles per hour.

The campground has 18 to 20 sites spread across open terrain beside a small high-elevation lake, and crowd levels tend to stay low. Even on a Fourth of July weekend, roughly 70 to 80 percent of sites remained open. Michael T. describes the sites as "large campsites and private." Anglers have noted what appears to be an active fish population in the lake. The campground provides drinking water, toilets, and trash service. No pets are allowed.

Temperatures drop sharply at night, falling below freezing in late May and October, so layering is essential regardless of the time of year. Burns BLM staff have been spotted on-site during the season, and at least one visitor noted they distributed detailed nature information packets to kids. Cell service is listed as available. Campers with larger RVs should note that a flatter, grass-covered site sits at the start of the access road and may be a better fit for rigs that can't handle the rougher terrain above. Jackman Park Campground, located about 1.8 miles southeast, gives campers a nearby alternative worth considering.

Fee Info

Camping Fees are $16/vehicle, per night, for a single car, truck, or RV and towed vehicle. Additional passenger vehicles $5/night. All sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations accepted. Please occupy site before proceeding to payment kiosk (near campground entrance) for payment. Traditional cash and check payment and electronic payment via Remote-Automated-Kiosk accepted at payment kiosk.

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Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsFish Lake Campground is located in Oregon near Frenchglen

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Burns, Oregon, travel southeast for approximately 2 miles on State Highway 78. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen, Oregon. Continue a short distance past Frenchglen, then turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Travel approximately 17 miles before turning right into Fish Lake Campground.

Address

Burns District Office 28910 Highway 20 West
Hines, OR 97730

Coordinates

42.740337 N
118.643732 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 23 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 23 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Drive Time


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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Fish Lake Campground

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5 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the clean, spacious sites and uncrowded atmosphere at this high-altitude lake campground. Guests commonly noted cold nighttime temperatures and seasonal road closures until early July.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2026

Autumn Colors, Remote, Wilderness outpost

There are enough bathrooms, and water pumps available. Need at least all wheel drive, but if road is dry expect washboard and can access with any sedan if taking it slow. Great quiet more seculded spots away from the actual lake in the aspens. Mosquitos possible in early summer when things are warming up. Cold at night! Great exploration jumping off point for  the Steens wilderness and hiking.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2022

What a gem

Great campspot. Came here 4th of July weekend and camped in Alvord first night and decided to camp somewhere else the next night.  70-80% of the campsites were open.  Large campsites and private.  It was a great find.

Reviewed May. 17, 2022

Great high altitude location

The site was well maintained and can get very cold at night in late May and October, below freezing. Also to note the loop does not open until roughly first week of July and depends on the work required on the road when the snow melts.

We went in May and enjoyed seeing only a few people up there and chatting the Burns BLM staff who gave the kids a cool packet of information about the nature, a quite detailed packet.

Overall, if you like to hangout next to a small lake and stay up high, it’s a nice spot. At the beginning of the road there is a larger campsite that is flat with grass, much warmer and better for larger RV’s

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Fish Lake Campground by Sean K., May 17, 2022
  • Review photo of Fish Lake Campground by Sean K., May 17, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2019

Quiet and secluded

Went in Mid June and there were maybe 3-4 campers in the whole park. A total of 18-20 sites. Some small for tents. A few large enough for campers. High mountain lake that appeared to have some decent fish population (2-3 fisherman, not camping). Still snow in spots at this time. No bugs, but blowing 20-30 at times.

  • Review photo of Fish Lake Campground by Bryce E., June 30, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2017

Nice camping in the Steens

Clean campsite. Still moderatly far from the steens but not so far. Close to kiger gorge. Clean bathrooms. Wasnt full at 7pm on a saturday. Nice views of the lake. Bees in site 2-avoid

Site6
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Fish Lake Campground by Erin P., July 31, 2017
  • Review photo of Fish Lake Campground by Erin P., July 31, 2017
  • Review photo of Fish Lake Campground by Erin P., July 31, 2017
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping facilities and amenities are available at Fish Lake Recreation Site?

Fish Lake Recreation Site features approximately 18-20 campsites with varying sizes to accommodate different camping setups. The campground is well-maintained with clean bathrooms and organized campsites. Sites are nicely spaced, providing a good level of privacy between campers. The campground offers views of the adjacent lake and maintains cleanliness throughout the facilities. There are no hookups or advanced amenities, keeping with its remote mountain setting. Be prepared for potentially cold nights, as temperatures can drop below freezing even in late spring and fall months.

Where is Fish Lake Campground located in the Steens Mountain area of Oregon?

Fish Lake Campground is located in the Steens Mountain area of southeastern Oregon. The campground sits alongside a high mountain lake, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape. It's positioned relatively close to Kiger Gorge, making it a convenient base for exploring this impressive geological feature. While not immediately adjacent to Steens Mountain itself, the campground provides reasonable access to the area's attractions. The location is relatively remote, offering a peaceful high-elevation camping experience in this distinctive Oregon landscape.

What fishing opportunities are available at Fish Lake in the Steens Mountain area?

Fish Lake appears to support a decent fish population, as evidenced by the regular presence of fishermen at the lake. The high mountain lake setting creates a picturesque environment for fishing activities. While specific fish species aren't detailed, the lake attracts dedicated anglers who visit specifically for fishing rather than camping. The relatively uncrowded nature of the campground means anglers can often enjoy peaceful fishing experiences without competing for space. For the most current fishing information, checking with local wildlife authorities before your trip is recommended.

Are there RV sites at Fish Lake Campground and how is the availability?

Fish Lake Campground does accommodate RVs, with a few sites large enough for campers and recreational vehicles. The smaller sites are more suitable for tents. Even during peak times like holiday weekends, the campground often maintains good availability, with reports of 70-80% of campsites remaining open during a Fourth of July weekend. The campground's remote location likely contributes to its lower occupancy rates compared to more accessible destinations. For RV campers, note that the loop road doesn't typically open until around the first week of July due to snow conditions, which affects access for larger vehicles.